Holiday Post!

I saw a fun little gift box at TJMaxx with this idea and knew I had to make my own version.

 I used the Cricut Artiste cartridge for the box and the mustache.

In November, we made 3 fun Holiday cards.

 The card above was inspired by Amie Kiger's card I saw on Pinterest.

This

This card was inspired by the Cricut Artbooking cartridge.

This card was inspired by Lisa Stenz's version and also the original on Lisa Young's page.

These are the ornaments my children made as Christmas gifts this year inspired by Pinterest although I was not able to find the original and altered my version a bit.

October Happenings and 5000!!!

First of all, I am so excited this post will bring me to 5,000 views of my blog!  So, I guess it's worthwhile and you all enjoy sharing in this way. Me too!
This layout is for the October class on the 21st at Bean's Country Store.  You don't want to miss out on ordering from the newly released Holiday Gift Guide (available to order from 10/15/13).  Let me know if you'd like to join us by 10/10/13.  I used the Sarita paper pack, the One-Way Borders Stamp set and of course a few Cricut Artbooking elements.
I cleaned out my stash due to watching too many episodes of Hoarders and Clean House! So, it actually helped to get my creative juices flowing.
I also made a card using the October SOTM.

Inventory clearance!

I am having an Inventory Clearance Sale of scrapbooking items next weekend 9/28/13.  For 2 hours only 8am-10am at my home.  Prices will range from .10 cents to a few dollars.
90% of items are Close to my Heart products including paper, embellishments and stamps as well as several other miscellaneous items.

Artbooking

This month's layout is from the Cricut Artbooking cartridge.  I will demonstrate how to make an Artbooking layout at our next gathering on September 16th.  I used the Huntington paperpack with some bronze glitter paper and bronze glitz glue.

National Stamping Month

September 2013 Constant Campaign

 

 3 times the fun with our new stamp set trio for only $10 with a qualifying purchase!

Get an exclusive You Are My Happy stamp set trio in celebration of National Stamping Month! During the month of September, when you make a purchase of $50 or more, you qualify for this whimsical stamp set trio for only $10. You’ll love the whimsical alphabet, light-hearted sentiments, and fanciful images for a variety of occasions to give a cheerful touch to your projects, with a full retail value of $47.90.

Babycakes!

 

This month we are making a layout using the new Babycakes paper pack. I managed to find some newborn pics of my goddaughter Skylar.  She's now 7 1/2!  Administering the NYS ELA exams prevented me from being there for the actual birth. But, my sis filled me in on the details and I took enough pictures to fill an album.

The layout involved use of the Cricut.  I used the Artiste cartridge to make the fancy squares and the NEW Artbooking Cartridge for the title and animals.  This cart has some nice non-generic items that go with CTMH stamp sets.

This month if you send $50 you will receive the Stamp of the Month Free!

July LO, Specials, etc.

This month I used the Tommy paper pack.  Perfect for this time of year. I went with the good old masking technique to incorporate two different stamps using two different colors.  A good staple technique to have in your back pocket.
Get the gorgeous Workshops on the Go^® canvas art kit for half price in July — no qualifying purchase required! From July 1 to July 31 you can get this trendy kit to create your own canvas art to hang in your home, regularly priced at $39.95, now discounted to $19.95 — more than 50% off! Take papercrafting to the next level with this adorable home décor piece that you can display for all to see.

Hurry up and get your limited-time patriotic stamp sets before July 31! During this patriotic time of year, there is no better time to get a unique stamp set and benefit the military. The My Acrylix^® Strong and Free (D1575), Home of the Brave (D1576), and Courage (B1437) stamp sets were designed specifically for this campaign and are only available from June 1 to July 31. Five dollars from every patriotic D-size stamp set and $3 from every patriotic B-size stamp set sold will benefit a military-support charitable organization.
Donations in the US will be made to the USO, the leading, most recognized military-support and services organization in the country. Donations in Canada will be made to the Canadian Hero Fund, which supports spouses and children of fallen Canadian military troops by helping provide post-secondary education funds.
Show your support with your own patriotic stamp set today.

 This was the June LO for those of you that missed it. Surf's up paper pack. I love scrapbooking these fun summer memories!

May Special, Layout and Scrappy Friends!

 I did it! I managed to create and prep a layout for May!  My sister is getting married on Saturday but I did it. Phew!  I have been wanting to create a layout like this for a while now.  Thanks to my scrappy friend Michele for lending me her Cricut cartridge with the hexagon (not CTMH) as well as stamps and paper! This would not have been possible without her!  I also used the same layout template she used a few months ago for the newest Make it with Heart layout book.   It's the one with the tree (#3).  I used the Later Sk8r paper pack with the "Honeycomb" and "In Gear" stamp sets.  I have been hanging onto these pictures FOREVER! I just never had the right green until now.  I love it! And of course it is much better looking in person.  Check out the special for the month below.  I will bring a packet of "Dream Pop" on Monday night for all to see!

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

No-sew textile flower (video tutorial click here)

For this layout I used the Chantilly paper pack.  I was also very excited to use the new CTMH textiles that coordinate with the paper pack.  I created NO-Sew flowers as an embellishment. I saw other examples of no-sew flowers wrapped under a button after I designed these.  I think both options are great.
So, I am posting my first video tutorial for making the flowers.  I do go slightly off screen for a minute but I am a one and done kind of girl so hopefully you get the idea anyways.
In order to see the VIDEO, you have to click on the title of this blog entry above "No-sew textile flower." I am still trying to figure this all out. Enjoy!

Buzz and Bumble

March is a very special month.  It is my 6 year anniversary with Close to my Heart!  I am offering free shipping on all gathering orders in March.  We will be making this layout using the Buzz and Bumble paper pack on the 18th.

Try it Out!

 

February and March are sure to be months of digital delights because you can purchase any Studio J^® layout for only $5—that’s a savings of $1.95 per layout! This is a great opportunity to try Studio J for the first time. Create adorable baby layouts with the Wishes and Fishes kit (shown), or use the new Express Collections with collections of 10 ready-made layouts plus a front and back cover that are easy to use and professionally designed. Preserve your memories at a low price for a truly digital delight!

Each Studio J or online order placed between now and February 28th will receive a specially crafted Easter treat created by me!

For Always

For February, we will be making the layout pictured above using the For Always paper pack.  I am using it to create a wedding album for my sis!  It doesn't come with Smoky Plum paper but you can choose any color to coordinate with the black and white.  We will also use heat embossing to make the doily. And we will use some of the bling buttons, tulle and glitter paper which I cut using the Cricut.
I created a few other layouts in the same theme.

 And the one below includes the February Stamp of the Month "Home Sweet Home"

                                                  

January Layout

This is the layout for club in January.  It is "La Belle Vie" paper pack with the "Who's Your Valentine?" stamp set as well as a tried and true favorite Stitched Together.  I love the Chevron stamp! This will definitely be one of my new favorites.

January Stamp of the Month and Special

I have seen several cards with this triple layer technique so I thought I'd give it a try.  My sister is engaged to be married in May so a wedding theme seemed appropriate.  And I used some of the new product that is available in the "Who's Your Valentine?" special. GLITTER PAPER!!!

Measurements to recreate this card:
8 1/2 X 5 1/2 Base
4 X 5 1/4 White
3 1/4 X4 1/2 Mat
3 X 4 1/4 White
2 1/4 X 3 1/2 Mat
2 X 3 1/4 White
Enjoy!

January Stamp of the Month

 

Information about the "Who's Your Valentine?" special is included below.

Featured Products: Whooo’s Your Valentine kit (CC1022)
12 – Die-Cut Boxes (3 each of 4 colors: Blush, Hollyhock, Ruby, White Daisy)
3 – 12" × 12" Cardstock Sheets (Blush, Hollyhock, White Daisy)
1 – Sheet Silver Glitter Paper – new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
12 – Treat Tubes with Lids – new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
1 – My Acrylix^® Whooo’s Your Valentine Stamp Set (D-size)

  When you place an order of $35 or more in Close To My Heart 

products, you’ll receive the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit for only $10.

2012 Autumn/Winter Idea Book Retiring List

Item#   Description                     Idea Book Page No.

Z1349 Shimmer Designer Brads 127

Z1360 Rhinestone Designer Brads 127

Z1361 Brads Red Assortment  127

Z1362 Brads Pink Assortment 127

Z1363 Brads Blue Assortment 127

Z1364 Brads Green Assortment 127

Z1365 Brads Basic Assortment 127

Z1387 Wooden Designer Buttons 125

Z1391 Buttons Clear Assortment 125

Z1395 Irresistibles™ Eclectic Chipboard Die-Cuts (the alphabet) 130

Z1465 Irresistibles™ Make-It-Count Numbers 130

Z1681 Dimensional Elements  Numbers  131

Z1761 Dimensional Elements Ornaments 131

Z1762 Dimensional Elements Snowflakes 131

Z1765 Color-Ready Arbor Wooden Shapes 130

X7147C Stella Complements Canvas Shapes 68

X7148C My Stickease® Pemberley Assortment 68

X7150C My Stickease® Victory Assortment 69

X7153C My Stickease® Florentine Assortment 69

X7158C La Belle Vie My Stickease® Assortment 38

X7160C Flirty Complements Dimensional Elements 50

X7161C Moonlight Complements Dimensional Elements 56

X7162C Pear & Partridge Complements Glittery Rub-Ons 62

Z1464 Milepost Shapes 128

Z1466 Bling Assortment 128

Z1695 Urban Felt Alphabet  130

Z1696 Keepsake Felt Alphabet  130

Z1709 Just Blooms® Petals Paper Flowers 129

Z1460 Foundry® Ribbon Slides 126

Z1711 Foundry® Binder Clips 126

Z1712 Foundry® Number Plates  126

Z1461 Décor Journaling Spots 129

Z1687 Bohemian Assortment  128

Z1689 Timeless Charms 128

Z1692 Tough Tags 128

Z1694 Bouquet Assortment 128

Z1741 Haunted Assortment 128

Z1749 Autumn Lane Assortment  128

Z1763 Boutique Assortment 128

2012 Autumn/Winter Idea Book Retiring List

Z1772 Dimensional Elements In Color—Holiday 128

Z1393 Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection  126

Z1316 Designer Ribbon Cocoa Collection 124

Z1385 Designer Ribbon Blue Collection 124

Z1615 Designer Ribbon Red Collection 124

Z1616 Designer Ribbon Green Collection 124

Z1388 Newsprint Rub-Ons  130

Z1700 Dark Chocolate Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons 126

Z1733 Black Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons 126

Z1743 Festive Velvet Rub-Ons  126

Z1742 Parlor Velvet Rub-Ons 126

Z1407 6" x 6" Olive Quick Pic™ Album 122

Z1408 6" x 6" Pansy Purple Quick Pic™ Album 122

Z1054 My Creations® Display Album 132

Z1378 My Creations® Banner 132

Z1614 My Creations® Memory Game 132

Z188 Craft Jars 120

Z1352 4 1/2" Colonial White Circle Cards 123

Z1353 4 1/2" White Daisy Circle Cards 123

Z1731 My Originals® Sweet Surprises Card Kit 123

X7147B My Reflections® Stella Paper Packet 68

X7148B My Reflections® Pemberley Paper Packet 68

X7150B My Reflections® Victory Paper Packet 69

X7153B My Reflections® Florentine Paper Packet 69

X7158B La Belle Vie Paper Packet  38

X7160B Flirty Paper Packet 50

X7161B Moonlight Paper Packet 56

X7162B Pear & Partridge Paper Packet 62Z1252 Cutting Knife 135

G1041 Workshops on the Go® Avonlea Cardmaking Kit 22

G1043 Workshops on the Go® Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Kit 66

G1040 Workshops on the Go® Spellbound Cricut® Kit 14

G1042 Workshops on the Go® Scroll Album Kit 23

G1044 Workshops on the Go® Advent Calendar Kit 67

G1045 Workshops on the Go® Avonlea Scrapbooking Kit 21

G1046 Workshops on the Go® Clementine Scrapbooking Kit 29

G1047 Workshops on the Go® Dakota Scrapbooking Kit 35

G1048 Workshops on the Go® La Belle Vie Scrapbooking Kit  41

G1049 Workshops on the Go® Scholastic Scrapbooking Kit 47

G1050 Workshops on the Go® Flirty Scrapbooking Kit 53

G1051 Workshops on the Go® Moonlight Scrapbooking Kit 59

G1052 Workshops on the Go® Pear & Partridge Scrapbooking Kit 65

Retiring Stamps in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book

Item#    Stamp name     Page #

A1104 A Tweet 90

A1111 A Tulip 68

A1116 A Melody 94

A1122 Bravo 92

A1128 Quick Cards—Shell 80

A1129 A Rainbow 85

B1365 Spring Up 71

B1369 Rosy Regards 67

B1374 Bee Happy 83

B1397 He Is Risen 74

B1402 My Peeps 72

C1439 Enjoy Life 95

C1440 Take a Picture 93

C1442 Tailor-Made 94

C1450 Eclectic Edges 99

C1452 Delight 71

C1455 Aspire 96

C1456 Heartfelt Treasures 68

C1457 Happy Camper 84

C1458 Paper Lantern 90

C1473 Remarkable Wreath 70

C1474 10 Things 105

C1485 Super Powers 47

C1498 Country Life 82

C1499 Perfect Day 80

D1195 The Works Alphabet 117

D1222 Tiny Typewriter Alphabet 117

D1296 Chocolate Alphabet Small 114

D1301 Hodge Podge Alphabet 114

D1303 Classmate Alphabet 114D1462 Splendid Day 77

D1464 Card Chatter—Love 106

D1467 Trees & Things 76

D1472 Simple Memories 66

D1478 Bingo Alphabet 113

D1505 Roar! 89

D1508 Diverse Backgrounds 102

D1509 Magic Adventures 78

D1511 Kick Back 81

E1013 Field Trip Alphabet 114

Christmas Crafts

 

Tonight I will be doing a demo during class for making these Christmas candles. Very fun and easy!  This was one of the first ever crafts I made when I started stamping.

This Santa is a Cricut creation I will have for all of my guests attending club tonight! You can find the link to create one of your own here.  It has a string to hang it as an ornament and you can put candy inside.

 

Pigment Inks Pop!

 This is the layout we will be recreating on December 10th. Please RSVP by 11/30/12 if you'd like to attend.
Well, I used the alcohol markers again.   This time I used the pigment ink to stamp image. Pigment ink really pops off the paper.  In this case, I used the Slate color and it looks like a shiny silver.  I briefly used a heat tool before using my alcohol markers.  This was sooo much fun!  And, if you aren't convinced on these markers yet I have more to show you soon.

Many Shades of Pink

So, I have experimented and researched more with the alcohol markers and with the inks to stamp the image.  I am told that using Staz-on for your stamped image can ruin your markers because it is a solvent ink and can bleed into your marker.  However, Staz-on was used for this purpose at convention this past summer.  I am assuming because the CTMH markers are disposable vs. the refillable competitor markers, the issue is of lesser or no concern.  So far, I have not noticed any adverse effects.  But, I have also used archival black ink which was very effective.  Most recently, I used our Slate pigment ink.  Pigment inks need to be dried with a heat tool or set aside for a short period before coloring.  I used a heat tool.   I love the vibrant color of the pigment ink.  The picture never tells the whole story but I only used the 2 shades of Blush markers to make all of these flowers.  I just kept wanting to experiment with blending and the number of different shades of pink I could create.

Trying something new

 

I have been curious to try using the new CTMH alcohol markers.  And the verdict is...  I like them!  I used them on the wreath stamp for this layout.  Next month I plan to use them again but a little bit more.  There are a few tricks and tips that learned along the way that I will share.  

1.  Shake before using.

2.  They bleed through the paper so, use a separate piece or make sure the back is not visible.

3.  Use Staz-on, archival or pigment ink for your outline stamp. So far, I prefer Staz-on.

4. They are inexpensive!  $5.95 for 2 markers.  At that price, why not try them out?

Happy Hauntings

This card was made using the stamp set from the Moonlight workshop kit.  I adapted it from another consultant that used a Tim Holtz embossing folder to make her brick wall.  Check out her version of this card and other fantastic creations at createdbyleanne.blogspot.com. I created the brick background by scoring  the lines then rubbing my Slate ink pad on the bumpy side.

Holiday Cards

These are the 3 cards will will be making at my October 22nd workshop.  Please RSVP to my email zabel800@hotmail.com if you would like to attend.  I revisited the color ready ribbon.  I let it dry overnight and used liquid glass as an adhesive.  This time I was quite pleased with the result.  The adhesive definitely makes the difference.

The card pictured above and below incorporate the Stamp of the Month for October and the Cricut Artisite cartridge.